I went to the Plant for the first time for about 7 months today and
realised that the odd recent message on Birding Oz about the Plant has some
reason. I had booked my entry and explained where I was going and had a
long chat with the man who answered the telephone but who did not tell me
anything out of the ordinary.
When I tried to follow the route down South Rd into Murtcaim Rd to get to
Paradise Rd, I found new gates with locks. Luckily, I eventually found one
side gate on 145 West Rd which allowed me access to the areas I wanted to
visit.
Later in the day, I stopped near the Oval and here I was met by one of the
Melbourne Water employees (I think). He politely but firmly said I should
"get back onto the bitumen". He said it was dangerous on dirt roads, there
were open drains and wandering livestock. I told the man that I had been
coming to the Plant for about 10 years (actually 8), that I followed the
conditions of the permit and was very well aware of the hazards.
When I asked why I had not been able to get to Paradise Road, he said that
there had been changes to the Permit System and that I should get a key
from the office. I said that I had not been informed of any changes to the
Permit and he suggested that the office had been slow in getting out the
paperwork.
I have now faxed the Plant office and await their reply which I will post
to the group. Has anyone else been having problems or can anyone shed any
light on the matter?
Regards,
Gil Langfield
Melbourne, Australia
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